Classy McDermott proves too much for valiant Heat

Ben McDermott's fittingly purple patch has helped the Hobart Hurricanes cement their spot in the KFC BBL's top four with a comfortable eight-wicket win over a valiant yet outgunned Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

After he closed out 2021 with a pair of furious, history-making hundreds, McDermott's 93 (61) tonight was a more measured effort, coming as it did in pursuit of a mediocre 8-144 from the Heat, who were still missing a dozen members of their regular squad with COVID-19.

But that's not to say they didn't put up a fight.

Promoted to No.3 after batting at six two days ago, 30-year-old Lachlan Pfeffer held the Heat innings together with a fighting 69 from 51 balls against an impressive Hurricanes attack that was well led by Riley Meredith up front, who bowled with pace and potency – but little luck – early on.

Pfeffer favoured anything on his pads and clubbed three sixes and six fours in the sort of performance that will have been noted by the Heat's brains trust when it comes to assembling future rosters.

But despite his best efforts, the Heat innings lacked impetus, with wickets falling regularly throughout thanks in no small part to outstanding spells from medium pacer Mitch Owen (2-25) and Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (2-23).

Second gamer Will Prestwidge did his best to change that, swinging lustily late on to make 21 from just seven balls and help his side to a total that, as the rain fell, gave the home side just a whiff of a chance.

Prestwidge then claimed the early wicket of Caleb Jewell, and when the Heat unleashed an unusual triplicate of unorthodox spinners in left-arm wrist-spinners Patrick Dooley and Jack Wood, and Afghan mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, they looked to be admirably staying in the contest, even earning themselves the Bash Boost point at the halfway stage of the innings.

Yet the match seemed to hang on the mood of McDermott, who has bent games to his will this summer and did so again tonight.

After he and Peter Handscomb worked their way patiently into their partnership, they soon upped the ante, and it was McDermott who played the lead hand, accelerating after reaching his 50 and ensuring only one winner was likely.

In 13 overs he made the bulk of a 117-run stand with Handscomb, seemingly finding – or clearing – the boundary as he needed to.

It was the work of a man in the form of his career, and though he fell in the closing stages, it mattered little, as Handscomb (27no) and D'Arcy Short (12no) completed the formalities with 16 balls remaining.